Renowned for its exceptional natural sites where an impressive diversity of wildlife thrives, Tanzania is the ideal destination for an unforgettable animal safari! But beyond the famous Big Five, Tanzania is also celebrated for its birds, with no fewer than 1,100 species recorded to date. Discover the best locations to organize a birdwatching trip and embark on a bird safari in Tanzania!

Spotting Birds in Ruaha National Park

Located in the heart of the country, Ruaha National Park is one of the premier destinations to spot birds in Tanzania. The site is home to no fewer than 570 bird species, including endemic species of central Tanzania, waterfowl, migratory birds, and numerous raptors.

Birds to observe in Ruaha National Park: the Black-masked Lovebird, Grey-breasted Starling, Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill, Crested Barbet, Ashy Starling, African Fish Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Pearl-breasted Francolin, African Openbill, White and Black Stork, Goose-winged Duck, Yellow-collared Palm-thrush, Pied Kingfisher, Secretary Bird, Necklaced Francolin, White-bellied Turaco, Racket-tailed Roller, Pel's Fishing Owl, Martial Eagle, Chestnut-winged Starling, Rüppell's Vulture, Lanner Falcon…

Spotting Birds at Lake Manyara

Located in northern Tanzania in the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is ideal for a bird safari. Over 300 bird species living along the lake have been recorded, including numerous migratory birds, raptors, and three endemic species of Tanzania: Fisher's Lovebird, Grey-breasted Francolin, and Red-billed Buffalo Weaver. Lake Manyara is also highly renowned for its impressive colonies of pink flamingos during the migration season!

Birds to observe at Lake Manyara: the White Pelican, Ostrich, Cormorant, Stork, Sacred Ibis, African Jabiru, Saddle-billed Stork, Hamerkop, Spot-breasted Ibis, African Spoonbill, Bateleur, Black Kite, Hornbill, Kingfisher, Fish Eagle, and many herons, stilts, egrets, ducks, vultures, eagles, parrots, and lovebirds…

Spotting Birds in Tarangire National Park

With its vegetation harboring an incredible diversity of wildlife, Tarangire National Park is one of the most sought-after spots in Tanzania. It is also a perfect place to observe bird life. Birdwatching enthusiasts can indeed admire the tallest bird in the world (the Ostrich) as well as the heaviest flying bird in the world (the Kori Bustard), along with endemic species and over 50 raptor species!

Birds to observe in Tarangire National Park: the Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Black-masked Lovebird, Grey-breasted Starling, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, African Jacana, Egyptian Goose, Marsh Sandpiper, Yellow-throated Grouse, Red-headed Weaver, Bateleur Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Little Falcon…

Spotting Birds in Arusha National Park

Though it is the smallest park in Tanzania attracting many tourists who trek the 4^th highest African peak (Mount Meru), Arusha National Park is also a particularly prized site for ornithology enthusiasts! And for good reason, nearly 400 bird species have been recorded there, many of which inhabit the area surrounding the shallow Momella Lakes.

Birds to observe in Arusha National Park: the Great White Pelican, Crowned Eagle, Turaco, Kite, Ibis, Starling, Red-and-Yellow Barbet, Steller's Sea Eagle, Red-bellied Parrot, Glossy-mantled Weaver, Grey Flycatcher, Northern White-headed Shrike, Von der Decken's Hornbill, Babbler, Guinea Fowl, Vulturine…

Spotting Birds at Lake Rukwa

Located in the western Rift Valley region of Africa in southwestern Tanzania, Lake Rukwa is renowned for harboring the country's largest crocodile population. But what will appeal most to birdwatching enthusiasts is the abundant presence of birds frequenting the basin and its surroundings (350 species have been recorded), where each year approximately 80,000 White Pelicans gather during breeding season.

Birds to observe at Lake Rukwa: besides pelicans, you can see numerous waterfowl such as the Glossy Ibis, Spur-winged Goose, Little Flamingo, and African Skimmer, as well as the famous Tanzanian Masked Weaver and the rare Shoebill.

Spotting Birds in Mikumi National Park

Nestled between the Rubeo Mountains and the Uluguru Mountains in the northeast of the country, the Mikumi sanctuary is home to over 400 bird species among its residents. Among them are numerous dry savanna birds as well as waterfowl, raptors, and migratory birds from the Palearctic region.

Birds to observe in Mikumi National Park: the Saddle-billed Stork, Red-billed Sandpiper, Black-bellied Bustard, Lilac-breasted Roller, Bateleur Eagle, Long-tailed Roller, Yellow-throated Cough, Little Egret, Guinea Fowl, Hornbill, and Malachite Kingfisher…

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When to Spot Birds in Tanzania?

While you can observe many resident birds at any time of year, the ideal time to organize a bird safari in Tanzania is to plan a trip during the migration season. Indeed, migration is the movement of migratory birds from Europe, Asia, and North Africa that come to wintering zones like Tanzania to feed, find refuge, and breed. To witness this extraordinary spectacle, it is advisable to visit Tanzania between the months of October through April.

Florine Dergelet